Chapter 68: Werewolf?
Ram nodded, his grip on the wheel steady as he navigated the truck through the increasingly rough terrain.
"Got it. We'll be ready." Su Mu and Groot were on high alert in the back of the truck.
As they pushed further into the forest, the sense of unease grew stronger.
The silence was almost deafening, with no monsters or birds nearby, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves.
It felt as though the forest itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
Suddenly, a series of low growls echoed through the trees, followed by the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps approaching rapidly from all directions.
"Contact!" Liam's sharp eyes spotted movement in the trees, "we've got multiple hostiles closing in fast!" he immediately shouted through the comms, drawing his knife and preparing for a fight.
Mai reacted immediately, her voice calm but commanding. "Everyone, get ready for combat! Liam, and Sid, retreat to the truck at once and guard our flanks."
"Ram, position us defensively. Su Mu, Groot, eliminate any monsters that approach too closely."
The truck screeched to a stop as Ram deftly positioned it against a large boulder for cover.
He exited the vehicle with Ling'er, who transformed into fragmented blades made up of Sword leaves orbiting around him, poised to strike at a moment's notice.
Su Mu took a deep breath, steadying her aim as she prepared to engage the incoming enemies.
Liam and Sid swooped down on their Glide Boards, their weapons ready, as they scanned the area for the first signs of movement.
The growls grew louder, and the underbrush began to shake as the creatures closed in.
The first wave of monsters burst through the tree line, a pack of hulking, canine-like beasts larger than ordinary wolves with glowing red eyes and slavering jaws.
Their fur was matted and dirty, their sharp claws digging into the ground as they charged forward.
Looking at the wave, Ram used his Spiritual eye to check the details.
[ Name: Gray Wolf]
[ Level: Black Iron]
[ Quality: Ordinary]
[ Physique: 3.9]
[ Spirit: 1.4]
[ Introduction: Ordinary wild monsters, flexible in shape, distributed all over the world]
Su Mu was the first to fire, her Gauss rifle spitting out high-velocity rounds that tore through the monsters' thick hides.
Groot unleashed a barrage of heavy machine gun fire, the roar of the gun drowning out the growls as the bullets tore through the pack.
Liam darted in and out of the fray on Glide Board, shooting at any beast that got too close from above the sky.
Amidst the battle, Ram employed the Thousand Leaf Pinnacle technique to manipulate the sword leaves, attacking the monsters within his range.
With his spirit attribute at 14 points, he proficiently controlled six small blades, targeting the monsters' weak spots such as eyes, jaws, and stomachs with precision.
Groot, standing guard by his side, smashed through the monsters that got too close, although he looked smaller than others, his physique was the highest among all of them, and each blow was a crushing blow that sent creatures flying back.
Meanwhile, Sid leaped from his hoverboard, his physique morphing mid-leap.
He expanded swiftly, with muscles bulging and bones rearranging into a werewolf form, until he towered over two meters, his body cloaked in dense silver fur that glinted metallically in the faint light.
His claws were elongated and razor-sharp, glinting with a deadly edge.
His face mostly turned into a wolf, with a powerful jaw filled with sharp teeth, and glowing amber eyes that seemed to burn with an intense predatory focus.
"Howl," As soon as he hit the ground, Sid howled sharply and lunged forward with incredible speed.
His claws tore through the first Gray Wolf that got too close, ripping its throat out in a single, fluid motion.
The beast didn't even have time to yelp before it collapsed.
The Grey wolves that heard Sid's howl started to shiver, their glowing red eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Some of the beasts even hesitated, stepping back as fear took hold. The primal fear invoked by the presence of a stronger predator was evident in their trembling limbs and cautious, retreating steps.
This brief moment of hesitation was all the opportunity the team needed.
Mai seized the opportunity. "Ram, take them out now while they're disoriented!" she commanded, her eyes scanning the battlefield for any signs of further threats.
Ram nodded, his eyes glowing as Ling'er, his weapon, responded to his thoughts.
The Sword leaves orbiting around him moved with deadly grace, slicing through the air toward the nearest group of wolves.
The leaves tore through the monsters' flesh with ease, their sharp edges leaving no room for escape.
Blood splattered across the forest floor as several wolves fell simultaneously, their bodies hitting the ground with heavy thuds.
This is Sid's second monster transformation other than Blood Rage Bear, obtained by integrating the blood essence of Elite Swift Wolf when he was still at Tier 1.
His talent, [A-092 Beast-Man], not only enables him to transform into a humanoid monster by using the blood essence of a specific monster, but it also gives him the ability to add multiple blood essences from different monsters with each evolution.
In contrast to the Bear transformation, which focuses on enhancing physical strength and defense, the Werewolf transformation's natural agility and enhanced senses allowed him to dodge and counterattack with lethal efficiency.
As another beast lunged at him, Sid sidestepped and delivered a bone-crushing punch, sending it crashing into a nearby tree.
"Too slow!" he growled, his voice deep and guttural in this form. The wolves, now realizing the futility of their assault, tried to retreat, but it was too late.
Sid pounced on another one, his claws tearing through its back with ease, ending its life in an instant.
"Keep them off the truck!" Mai shouted, her hands flying over the control panel as she deployed a series of automated turrets from the sides of the vehicle.
The turrets started firing, spitting out streams of bullets that cut down any monster that got too close.
Su Mu remained calm and composed; her hands steady as she fired.
Each shot was precise, taking down monsters with a single bullet, as most of these monsters are just ordinary Black Iron and Bronze level.
I tagged this book, come and support me with Power Stones and Golden Tickets!!
Please do not forget!!